Former mayor gets multiple jail terms for graft but could he still be alive by then?
Former Guinobatan, Albay Mayor Juan Rivera was sentenced to 135 years of imprisonment following his conviction of 17 counts of malversation of public funds.
According to the Sandiganbayan Second Division decision, Rivera was found guilty of embezzling government funds for failure to liquidate the amount of P357,956.08 released to him between June 1998 to April 2001.
Based on prior investigation, the amount was released to Rivera through 17 check cash advances from the bank account of the local government of Guinobatan.
Audit findings also revealed that he dd not return the unliquidated funds despite notice from the Commission on Audit (COA).
But Rivera denied the accusations by pointing to the municipal treasurer who is said to be the one who encashed the checks.
The court, however, said that the Rivera’s “denial of receiving the proceeds of his cash advances is patently a mere afterthought.”
“He did not raise this at the earliest opportunity which does not augur well with ordinary human experience,” the Sandiganbayan said.
“Said cash advances were obtained from 1998 to 2001. The said cash advances remain unliquidated as of August 31, 2004, when the demand letter was sent. Irrefutably, the accused failed to liquidate his cash advances within the period required by the rules,” it added.
Rivera was meted 11 ten-year sentences; 3 6-year jail terms; and another 4 two-years-and-four-month imprisonment for a total of 135 years.
The court ordered him to pay P302,956 in fines, and the cost of the trial.
The anti=graft court also perpetually barred the former local chief executive from holding public office.
Rivera has not learned his lessons in 2004 when the Sandiganbayan has also sentenced him to 140 years of imprisonment for amassing P800,000 in calamity funds meant for victims Mayon Volcano eruption in early 2000.
In 2005, the Supreme Court granted Rivera’s petition for review and remanded the case to the Sandiganbayan for further proceedings.